Fall has arrived...and with it the reminder that I haven't sent a newsletter since April. Wow.

Let's catch up. My sweet toddler Alyssa and I took a special trip in June. We journeyed up to Montana to attend the West Kootenai Amish Auction-just like the one in my novel Beside Still Waters! I enjoyed connecting with friends, looking at amazing quilts, and trying to watch out for cow pies. (Yes, the auction was held in a cow field.) As I walked around I almost expected to see Marianna, Ben, and the other people from West Kootenai in my books. Alyssa and I also enjoyed spending time with her birthmom and sister in Montana. What a joy that our little girl has so many people who love her.

While we were zipping up to Montana my other daughter Leslie was off to the Czech Republic. Leslie was part of a team from our church (www.mosaicchurch.net). It's her fourth time there and she loved teaching in the English camp, speaking in the public schools, and leading a crazy sports camp where 100+ kids showed up. Leslie also got to spend time with our Czech daughter (former exchange student) Andrea. What a joy!

Also this summer, John, Alyssa and I drove down to Shreveport for a booksigning, and in July I flew to Atlanta to attend ICRS-the International Christian Retail Show-where I did three book signings, a half-dozen media interviews, and spoke at an event. A few weeks after that I flew to Idaho where I attended a small, private retreat with ten other authors. During this week our group prays, plays and plots each other's books. Maybe you know some of my friends? Robin Lee Hatcher, Francine Rivers, Brandiyn Collins, Tamera Alexander and Sharon Dunn to name a few. It's a refreshing time!

Yet as amazing as all of those things were, nothing compares to the fact that we added a new member to our family. Clayton William Goyer was born on July 31st, weighing 6 lbs. I'm a very proud grandma who believes she has the most handsome grandson ever! The cool thing is the Clayton was named after his two grandpas. (Clayton is my husband John's middle name and William is his other grandpa's middle name.) How fun is that?!

 If you'd like to see more photos of these events, check out that Gallery section of my website and on Facebook.

Just so things wouldn't get boring, John, Alyssa and I fly to Gustavus, Alaska the beginning of September to research for my upcoming novel Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska! I met my co-author Ocieanna Fleiss there are MANY of our experiences will make it into the novel. You can read about some of it on my blog. After this trip I just have to say that you should need a passport to go to Alaska-that's how foreign it is!

And just a few days ago I got back from St. Louis where I taught at the American Christian Fiction Writer's Conference. I had a great time meeting with my agent, editors, and author friends!

As I write all this, I'm struck again with what a small world it is. I'm able to travel to research, attend events, meet with friends and bid on an Amish quilt. When my daughter was in Europe we were able to see each other via Skype. It's amazing, in fact, that I'm able to send this note and connect with friends all over the world. (And just so you know I DO appreciate hearing back from you!)

Thinking of this, also has me thinking of where our world will be in five, ten, fifteen years. Will traveling to the Czech Republic be a monthly event through a cool, new mode of travel? Will you and I be able to chat virtually like we were sitting in the same room? I'd enjoy that, too!

I've been thinking more of this because I've also been praying that God will continue to use me to influence people all over in the world, for many generations for His glory! Won't you help me do that?

If you enjoy my books, please share them with friends. Ask your library to order copies, or recommend them to a local book club. I am honored that God has given me the opportunity and the joy of writing. Daily I get emails, Tweets, and Facebook messages from those who are impacted by the stories God gives me, and my prayer is that He will help me to do that more.